A virus that causes the lysis (decomposition, disintegration) of actinomycetes (bacteria).

adelphophagy

The consumption of one embryo by another in utero; particularly as it relates to certain amphibians, sharks, and fish.

Adephaga

A name applied to a family or group of Beetles, also called Carnivora, and divided into the two sections of Geodephaga and Hydradephaga.

adephagia, adephagous, adephagy

Pertaining to Adephaga; gluttonous, excessive, greedy eating.

aerophagia, aerophagy

1. Excessive swallowing of air, usually an unconscious process associated with anxiety, resulting in abdominal distention or belching, often interpreted by the patient as signs of a physical disorder.
2. Abnormal spasmodic swallowing of air; especially, as a symptom of hysteria.
3. The abnormal spasmodic swallowing of air, a common cause of flatulence and belching.

It can result in the distention of the stomach.

aerosialophagy

Constant swallowing, thus taking saliva and air into the stomach; also sialoaerophagy.

This condition is known in medical fields as pica which comes from Latin meaning “magpie” because this bird eats just about anything or carries away odd objects.

Pica and unusual food cravings (citta) are common in pregnant women. Pica also occurs in some patients with iron or zinc deficiencies. In children this syndrome, classified with eating disorders, is a rare mental disorder with onset typically in the second year of life; it usually remits in childhood but may persist into adolescence.